Wicked at Parramatta

This was magnificent ! My thoughts for Sydney Arts Guide : http://www.sydneyartsguide.com.au/packemin-productions-presents-wicked-riverside-theatres-parramatta/
Fellow Ozians! Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Riverside Parramatta , stampede the box office and book now if you haven’t already for this wonderful production by Packemin of WICKED. Lovingly , lavishly directed with a sure touch by Neil Gooding , Packemin have outdone themselves in this splendid version . ( Packemin have also previously performed a terrific version of the original The Wizard of OZ ).
Now regarded as a modern classic WICKED by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holman, based on the book by Gregory Maguire , tells the story behind the scenes of The Wizard of Oz and what really happened. Who is Elphaba , the ‘Wicked Witch of the West ‘ ? What is Glinda’s real name ? Who were the Tin Man , Scarecrow and Cowardly Lion?It is visually spectacular, with splendiferous ,striking costumes , magical lighting and sets . The stage curtain is a map of OZ and watch out for the dragon above.. Amy Campbell’s choreography is taut and precise , the huge ensemble swirling and moving as one in for example No One Mourns The Wicked . In style it is mostly showbiz/contemporary but there are also ballroom references ( shades of The King and I and other Broadway musicals).Timing and pacing throughout were splendid .At times the script is witty and ironic ( eg the duet for Elphaba and Galinda What is This Feeling ?)
Under Neil Gooding’s fine direction the very strong cast perform tremendously and the Orchestra as led by musical director Peter Hayward sparkled.
As Elphaba Ashleigh O’Brien was superb giving an extremely accomplished , very sympathetic and finely nuanced performance.The odd one out because of her colour she is only trying to do good and help people but with unfortunate results. She is in dazzling form and reveals a great range from the soft , questioning “I’m Not That Girl “ to the show stopping Defying Gravity that takes us to interval which is a mix of exuberant unexpected discovery and menace. In As Long As you Are Mine , her duet with Fiyero with her hair down she is like a mermaid.
Manon Gundersson- Briggs as Nessarose is also tremendous .We see her apparently gentle outward appearance , but discover she is somewhat bitter inside.
Tall ,blonde and handsome dashing Fiyero was marvelously played by Linden Furnell as a careless ,wealthy playboy who ends up questioning his life ( His Dancing Through Life brings the house down).
Glamourous Galinda , consciously decorative , was delightfully played by Mikayla Williams as a possibly somewhat dimwitted blonde bombshell ( or is she ? – think Legally Blonde ).In some sections her role is quite operatic and demanding and Williams handles it magnificently (eg the opening speech and the Evita-like Thank Goodness ).
The Wizard himself was charmingly played by Wayne Scott Kermond who has a most enjoyable time and conquers the audience.In Wonderful Kermond draws on vaudeville styles and has much fun. The scary ,scheming , manipulative side of his character is downplayed rather what is emphasized is his genteel ‘’niceness’’ and how he followed the way created and proposed by others .
Poor Boq, in love with Galinda ,was excellently played by Nicholas Richard.The scheming ,pompous Madame Morrible was delightfully ,vividly played by Monique Lewis Reynolds . As Doctor Dilllamond Jeremey Curtin gave an imposing performance , at first bursting with enthusiasm as a greatly inspiring lecturer then leading to a tragic end.
A glittering prodigious production that had the audience enthralled.
Running time 2 hours 45 minutes including one interval.
WICKED runs at the Riverside until August 13.